Standing Up for a DrugFree Future at Festival Afrodisiac in Brussels

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July 21, 2025

On July 17, 2025

The 2025 Festival Afrodisiac in Brussels united thousands of people to commemorate African solidarity and culture while highlighting the prevention of drugs with the Truth About Drugs mobile exhibit. Thanks to the International Association of Scientologists and the Church of Scientology, coordinator Julie Delvaux and her staff distributed more than 1,200 educational booklets and moved hundreds of people to swear off drug use. The project highlights Europe’s continued battle against increasing drug use and demonstrates the way in which local initiative, supported by humanitarian ideals, is able to defend young people and communities.

Bois de la Cambre Hosts a Festival with Deeper Meaning

Brussels, 16 July 2025 — Against the backdrop of the Bois de la Cambre, this July 12-13 weekend witnessed come to life the lively Festival Afrodisiac: a multi-generational cultural festival in the capital of Belgium — hub of the EU institutions — to celebrate African music, dance, cuisine and solidarity. As children giggled in the village area and parents exchanged Afro-market treats, one stall stood out from festive bonhomie to project a vital public-health message: the risks of drug-taking.

A Cultural Celebration with a Social Impact

Established in 2006 and today the largest of the African diaspora’s cultural festivals in Brussels, Afrodisiac advocates for solidarity and consciousness through supporting its 2025 edition to “Les enfants du Congo, l’avenir d’un continent” — raising awareness of African children’s rights through art, workshops, performance and food stalls.

This celebration has new resonance in Brussels, where the EU Commission, Parliament and Council symbolically reiterate messages of togetherness and prosperity.

Truth About Drugs Exhibit Reaches Hundreds with Educational Tools

The Truth About Drugs mobile exhibit — a cutting-edge, new educational display made possible with the sponsorship of members of the International Association of Scientologists — came to life on location by Julie Delvaux, coordinator for Drug-Free World Belgium (Ditesnonaladrogue) and a member of the board of the Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe.

From dawn breaking to last sunset, Julie and her committed team left their mark: in only two days, they interacted with hundreds of visitors with the interactive exhibit, motivated people to pledge drug-free, and distributed 1,286 educational booklets right into the hands of families and community.

Firsthand Reactions Highlight the Exhibit’s Powerful Impact

Julie Delvaux commented:

“When adolescents sampled the simulation glasses following our mini-conference, they literally told us, ‘We won’t touch that stuff.’ Moments like that make it all worth it.”

Julie Delvaux, PRÉSIDENT DITES NON A LA DROGUE BELGIQUE

From youth organization coordinators to teachers, a firefighter, and doctors, many are looking for partnership opportunities to confront the increasing impact of drug-related issues in their professional fields. Workers at addiction clinics are also getting on board, handing out educational materials in waiting rooms as more patients are coming in with the impacts of substance abuse. Also, a recovering addict has enrolled to join the campaign by giving her personal testimony with the aim of inspiring others through her experience.

Scientology’s Humanitarian Mission Drives Truth About Drugs Campaign

The Truth About Drugs campaign is included in the Foundation for a Drug‑Free World, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s humanitarian ideology: “The single most destructive element present in our current culture is drugs.” His belief that knowledge can prevent suffering forms Truth About Drugs’ international network — from schools to festivals such as Afrodisiac.

Up-and-Coming Drug Trends in Europe Require Action Now

These initiatives count. In the EU as a whole, according to the European Union Drugs Agency, illegal drug use is still prevalent: some 29% of 15–64‑year‑olds have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives, and 8% used cannabis in the last year — approximately 22 million Europeans. Cocaine, the second-most consumed drug on the continent, had about 3.5 million adult consumers last year, with consumption focused among those between ages 15 and 34.

Brussels and Antwerp wastewater samples from the past few years indicate cocaine occurrence doubled in 2024 over 2023 — coming close to 1.2 g per 1,000 residents per day — highlighting increasing stimulant trends on Belgian streets. Additionally, EU-wide surveillance points to an alarming increase in polysubstance use, typically combining cannabis, MDMA, synthetic opioids and tranquillisers.

Church of Scientology Commends Community-Based Prevention

Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Head of Public Affairs and Human Rights of the European Office of the Church of Scientology, who coordinates the various social campaigns Scientologist conduct across Europe praised the venture:

“It is uplifting to witness young people and families opting for knowledge and responsibility over ignorance and risk. This campaign represents an extremely pragmatic means of protecting our children’s future. We will keep supporting all initiatives that bring truth and prevention to communities in immediate contact.”

Grassroots Efforts Make a Difference Across the Continent

At Brussels’ center of European decision-making, where the course of policy across the whole continent is determined, citizen action is having an equally powerful impact. The Truth About Drugs crew’s stand at Afrodisiac bridged cultural festivity and public health, converting international drug trends into individual experiences and empowering decisions. As Brussels fosters Europe’s future, so do neighborhood campaigns advocate its well-being — one informed choice at a time.

A Global Drug Prevention Movement Supported Across the Globe

Supported and sponsored by the Church of Scientology and its ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, the Truth About Drugs campaign has grown to become one of the world’s largest non-governmental drug education and prevention campaigns, operating in more than 180 nations and distributed in tens of thousands of schools, community groups, police forces and youth organizations. Its concise, accurate content has made it popular among educators, law enforcement officers and government agencies around the globe, advancing the vision of L. Ron Hubbard to enable individuals with knowledge as the ultimate antidote to drug abuse.

Media Contact

Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights

Contact Person: Ivan Arjona

Website: https://www.scientologyeurope.org

Email: Send Email

Address: Boulevard de Waterloo 103

City: Brussels

State: Brussels

Country: Belgium

Release Id: 17072530958